Auction Haul.....Gerstner.....Wilton......Troyke

[Luntz]

Went to an auction preview and saw this Gerstner tool chest, 18" Troyke rotary table and several other interesting items.
The prices at some of these places always seem to dumbfound me...a Bridgeport mill w/DRO sold for $750.
Then 2 guys must have wanted the same 6" Columbian vise. It went for $800 + 18% buyers premium + 10% sales tax. $1,038.40!!
Meanwhile, I got a Pressweld work table with overhead shelf and electrical sockets and a mounted 4" Wilton for less than 1/10th the price of the Columbian........
The Gerstner was chock full of end mills, taps, drill bits, Starrett rulers, parallels, etc. 35 years worth of machining.
I was very happy with what I purchased, the projects will keep me busy for the next month.

I can't wait to get into cleaning the Gerstner, it is majestic. A keeper.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sweet deal!

 

[mogandave]

Nice!

What wood are the Gerstners? 62 & B62 yes?

I have a 52 and a B92XL both in golden oak, wish I would have gotten the the 92XL when I got the 92 base...

 

[Luntz]

mogandave, you know your Gerstners!
I believe it's black walnut. I just ordered the finish restorer and preserver from Gerstner. Can't wait to clean it up.
Amazing how good the overall condition of these pieces are in. I spoke to the owner, retiring after 35 years of machining "A to Z" he said, in the port of Long Beach. Not an easy life. He said he bought it over 30 years ago, used. By the design of the company logo, I believe it's from the early 70's or so. Even had the key! It'll be an heirloom piece my son will inherit.

 

[RTM]

This should get you in to the age range

'The' Guide for Wooden Machinist Tool Chests, pre-1960 - Pg 216 - Gerstner Stencil Year Dates

Pg 216 - Gerstner Stencil & Nameplates Year Dates

sites.google.com

Nice honest patina, you can tell his favorite drawers.

 

[LOW1]

Went to an auction preview and saw this Gerstner tool chest, 18" Troyke rotary table and several other interesting items.
The prices at some of these places always seem to dumbfound me...a Bridgeport mill w/DRO sold for $750.
Then 2 guys must have wanted the same 6" Columbian vise. It went for $800 + 18% buyers premium + 10% sales tax. $1,038.40!!
Meanwhile, I got a Pressweld work table with overhead shelf and electrical sockets and a mounted 4" Wilton for less than 1/10th the price of the Columbian........
The Gerstner was chock full of end mills, taps, drill bits, Starrett rulers, parallels, etc. 35 years worth of machining.
I was very happy with what I purchased, the projects will keep me busy for the next month.

I can't wait to get into cleaning the Gerstner, it is majestic. A keeper.

Nice!
what do you use to clean these chests?

 

[alinc100]

Will be interesting to see how this cleans up. Might get leaps and bounds ahead with a light scrubbing with dawn dish soap and water.

 

[Luntz]

Gerstner's website has a lot of very useful info, videos, replacement hardware and restoration products.
As RTM noted, you can tell which were his most used drawers lol.
I'll start out withe a Dawn scrubbing then move to 0000 steel wool with the Finish Restorer I have on order.
I'll see if I can get the most egregious stains off, but I do like the patina of an honest work piece.
The base case had a rubber pad across the top, when I removed it I was astounded to see the felt looked like it was brand new.
It looks like a miniature bedroom chest of drawers in my garage, really an eye catcher. I understand the infatuation with these chests.

 

[jabberwoki]

One of those chests is on my list,
Very sweet haul.

 

[Jayman17]

Yes, that is an impressive haul, I would be happy with that. I love that gerstner box, I’ve never seen one that big or the lower box too.

 

[bubinga]

try murphy's oil soap first.

 

[Tarnished]

Luntz, nice haul. Your Gerstner is labeled with the W B 62 which from my understanding is Gerstner for "Walnut, Base, model 62". The top is just W 62 or "Walnut model 62. With a little elbow grease, it should clean up nicely. Nice set!
What is the other chest you post with the 12" ruler?

 

[Luntz]

AHA! While showing the chest to my cousin yesterday I discovered this tag right in front of me. After removing the corner piece, there was still the plastic protective coating from when it was first installed.
Very cool!
Could very well been used at this plant a few miles from where I bought it.

Douglas Aircraft Company Long Beach Plant, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA​

On April 28, 1967, after almost four years of merger talks, the two companies merged as McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

Seems this tag is from pre-merger.

 

[Luntz]

What is the other chest you post with the 12" ruler?

It's another tool chest I picked up at the same auction.
I've been so slammed I haven't even had a chance to dust it off yet, let alone inspect it.
I'll post more this week.

 

[Shiftless]

Luntz:
You really scored on that deal.

It sounds like you’re off to a good start with the clean up. Like you, I value the well preserved vintage patina look better than the “sand it down to bare wood and apply high gloss varnish” approach.

 

[bubinga]

Luntz:
You really scored on that deal.

It sounds like you’re off to a good start with the clean up. Like you, I value the well preserved vintage patina look better than the “sand it down to bare wood and apply high gloss varnish” approach.

Clean it really good,
Light cost of blond dewaxed shellac,
Instant patina look.

 

[mogandave]

I like boiled linseed oil on mine

 

[Luntz]

Bubinga-try murphy's oil soap first.

I went with Bubinga's suggestion of Murphy's oil first (my wife had a gallon) and was very happy with the results.
I started on a concealed edge to try it out and the transformation from black gunk to a nice deep mahogany grain convinced me. I got the base completed and will apply the Gerstner restorer when I receive it. I wire brushed the hardware and was extremely happy with the outcome. After 50+ years of Long Beach salt air, the pitting was all removable.
I contacted Gerstner on Friday concerning restoration advice and Scott Campbell replied first thing this morning.
Very impressive customer service.
I also discovered another key for the base and the key for the top. Amazing after all these years.
I feel like a kid in a candy store.
First picture below is obviously left hand side cleaned, right hand side not. I love how the decades of greasy usage has been removed to reveal the beauty of the walnut.
Tomorrow the top.......
This has turned out to be one of my favorite projects. All thanks to the people of GJ.

 

[mogandave]

I fingernail brush is perfect for the groove in the drawer fronts and the inside corners on the front panels.

 

[bubinga]

I went with Bubinga's suggestion of Murphy's oil first (my wife had a gallon) and was very happy with the results.
I started on a concealed edge to try it out and the transformation from black gunk to a nice deep mahogany grain convinced me. I got the base completed and will apply the Gerstner restorer when I receive it. I wire brushed the hardware and was extremely happy with the outcome. After 50+ years of Long Beach salt air, the pitting was all removable.
I contacted Gerstner on Friday concerning restoration advice and Scott Campbell replied first thing this morning.
Very impressive customer service.
I also discovered another key for the base and the key for the top. Amazing after all these years.
I feel like a kid in a candy store.
First picture below is obviously left hand side cleaned, right hand side not. I love how the decades of greasy usage has been removed to reveal the beauty of the walnut.
Tomorrow the top.......
This has turned out to be one of my favorite projects. All thanks to the people of GJ.

Looks great

 

[Luntz]

Little elbow grease……

 

[Sumboodie]

try murphy's oil soap first.

The Murphy Oil Soap worked decent on some cabinets I cleaned

 

[bubinga]

The Murphy Oil Soap worked decent on some cabinets I cleaned

Little elbow grease……

Wow What a difference! Might just need a few coats of wax,

 

[bubinga]

Wow What a difference! Might just need a few coats of wax,

I wonder what that gershner refinisher actually is?
I have something around here similar I'm pretty sure it's Howard's brand and finisher it's not bad but I'm not really sure what it consists of?
Because unlike a wiping poly, or a wiping varnish they ask that you put it on and wipe it off dry.
It doesn't look bad though the stuff I have. I had one it wasn't a gerstner but it was a nice box it was so black that somebody asked me if I peeled the black leatherette off, I said no that's just how dirty it was.
But by the time I scrubbed it all down and I forget what all I used? I think I used Murphy's oil soap but anyways by the time I was done with it, the finish was either so thin or non-existent, so I gave it a few coats of shellac. It came out nice though.

 

[RTM]

 

[Luntz]

6 hours of scrubbing and buffing later.....
Still waiting for the delivery of my bottle of Gerstner restorer.
After and before.
I'll post a picture with the base tomorrow.

 

[Tarnished]

Huge difference Luntz, nice job. Great box!

 

[Farmer J.]

That is looking very nice, you will be well pleased with the results. It's kept the patina of small dings in the wood, but removed the dirt and rust (which is just dirt and decay, not 'patina'!) ..

 

[Luntz]

Finally got the Gerstner Restorer, and had a day to finish up the chest. Man that's a lot of drawers.
The 0000 steel wool gave a very nice glassy finish, let the patina speak for itself.
Again, I would not have given this tool box a second look, had it not been for the informative people on this board.
Snooping around these rabbit holes has given me an understanding of how much I do not know, but enjoy learning.

 

[Tarnished]

Great job Luntz, wouldn't know it's same box! Good to go for the next 30 years. Your kids should appreciate it by then. LOL

 

[tombell572]

Luntz, as you probably know, that Troika rotary table is one of the finest made, super precision. They are still around, by the way.

Tom B.

 

[Luntz]

Good eye Tom, you're one of the few to notice a couple of the other jewels in that haul.
The Troyke cleaned up really nice. I think the cutting oil helps preserve the paint and bare metal.



I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Wilton. I got the 4" vise and a 6' Pressweld table for $100.
Was a fun auction, I'll hang on to the Gerstner chest and sell the rest.